How to Build a Water Wheel

Building a mini water wheel is a great way to teach children the properties of hydrodynamics and slip in a history lesson. The water wheel was invented by the Mesopotamians and is one of mankind's oldest inventions. This is a good project to use if you are a science teacher, or simply a parent who wants to have fun with your children while teaching them about the world around them.

Things You'll Need

• Shirt cardboard cut into three inch circles
• One ounce paper cups
• Basin of water and a pitcher
• Stapler
• Plastic straws

Instructions

1. Give each child a cardboard circle, a straw and three paper cups. Have them work in pairs so they can assist each other.

2. Have each child punch a hole in the circle with a pencil. This should be done with adult supervision.

3. Help each child place a straw in the hole in the center of the cardboard circle, it must be centered to properly balance the water wheel.

4. Assist the children in stapling the three cups around the outside of the circle. Make sure the cups are evenly spaced so the water wheel turns properly when used.

5. Demonstrate how the water wheel works by pairing the children up. Have one child hold the wheel by the ends of the straw over the basin while the other child pours water into the cups with the pitcher. Switch the children so everyone has a turn at pouring the water.